Month: February 2013

I had my First “Real” Clubbing experience last Saturday. I know. What a first to experience at nearly twenty-five years of age, right? It’s not on my 25 for 2013 list. It’s definitely been on my bucket list for years, though — along with being soused (given my GERD, the latter probably won’t happen). Initially, I thought about writing about my experience, but where’s the interest in that? I’m sure most people have had multiple crazy bar/club experiences, so who’d like to read about mine? Then, while I was washing out the stink of smoke from my hair, Cyn popped up in my head. I’d never met her before, and I don’t know her backstory or what her happy ending will be. But this scene came alive so vividly in my mind that I just had to write it down. Heck, it’s not everyday that I get bouts of inspiration like that. So here it is: the first piece of fiction that I’m actually putting out there for people to read. Take note that all …

Before I continue with my Siem Reap tales, I have to let out a huge cyber whoop of excitement. I just found out that Cebu Pacific, one of the Philippines’ leading budget airlines, is planning to open flight routes to Melbourne, Australia and Moscow, Russia in 2014. Yes, you read it right–RUSSIA!!! The number one country on my 2015 Eastern Europe trip. It’s a sign: all roads do lead to Russia. For me, at least. Now, all I need to work on is my funds. No matter how cheap the airfare might be, the actual travel cost is bound to be rather hefty, especially considering that Moscow’s not exactly known as a cheap place to visit. A lot of people have asked me why I’m so keen on going there. It’s simple, really. First, there’s the St. Basil’s Cathedral (need I add more?). And there’s the fact that East Europe’s so different from what I’ve seen in the West. Not that I’ve already exhausted all the places I want to see in Western Europe. But before …

My first impressions of Siem Reap were: 1) there were no people; 2) they had a whole lot of hotels / guesthouses; 3) it was hot and dusty. Later on I’d find out that #1 was not true at all, but both #2 & #3 were right on target. We arrived in Siem Reap well past 10:30 PM last February 7. It’s a little under a three-hour flight from Manila, but Cambodia is an hour behind our local time. Upon exiting our plane, we were greeted by a gust of warm, dry air. I remember thinking that it wasn’t so different from back home, at least in that regard (it’s just more humid-hot in the Phils). Though their airport is small, I loved how they utilized traditional architecture to make it unique. I think it’s the only airport I’ve been to that isn’t modern and isn’t interchangeable with any other airport. It’s a good introduction to the small but definitely memorable city of Siem Reap. We headed straight to Ta Som Guesthouse, where we were …

There are places that leave you in awe of God’s power and majesty — like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA. Then there are those that leave you marveling at man’s vision, inspiration and determination. Angkor Wat is one of those places. If you had told me a week ago that I’d fall in love with a place that’s even hotter and a WHOLE LOT dustier than my beloved hometown, I would’ve called you crazy. I did just that, though — I lost a piece of my heart to Siem Reap. The ironic thing is that I consider myself a city girl. I love the convenience of one-stop shops like malls and massive grocery stores (don’t forget the ever-important A/C), the dependability of having a Starbucks or McDonalds (or both) around the corner, the quick transportation that the MRT offers. Siem Reap doesn’t really have those. The only mall I saw was Lucky Mall (we did most of our shopping at the night markets and local convenience stores); the closest thing to McDo was one …

The best places are those which you can keep coming back to and still be able to discover something new about. The last time I went to Cebu was for my first and final kitchen installation there in July. I was mostly alone and preoccupied with work, so I wasn’t really able to see much aside from the job site, SM and Ayala Mall. Luckily, my visit there just a few weeks ago made for a more interesting and unforgettable experience. The idea for the trip first took root when I found out that one of my closest friends in the office was going to be transferred there to manage the new design center. Of course, I promised to come over and visit her. The question was, when? I forget who first mentioned Sinulog, but since I’d never been to a fiesta before, it seemed like the perfect time to go. In the end, six of us (half existing employees, half resigned and unemployed…including me) flew in from Manila to join the four “Cebu ladies”, …